The Mission of the HSCG

The HSCG non-profit trade association serving the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry.
The industry is diverse, encompassing up-and-coming artisan makers, established business making handcrafted soap
and cosmtic products, vendors who provide products and services to the makers, and the general public as
consumers of handcrafted soap and cosmetic products.

The mission of the organization is four-fold, addressing all the different parts that make
up the industry as a whole. When combined, the individual aspects of
our mission combine into a comprehensive plan to serve all the stakeholders of the
handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry.

1. To promote and educate the public about the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry.

2. To act as a center of communication among, and to circulate information beneficial to,
members of the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry.

The HSCG works to provide important information to everyone in the handcrafted soap and cosmetic
industry through the HSCG website, Local Chapters, and on social media, especially our
Facebook page.
In addition, any person may Register on the site
to receive any of our eNewsletters.

3. To foster the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry through education and training.

Education and training for all members of the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry is of major
importance to the HSCG. Soap and cosmetic making classes are
listed on the HSCG website. The Annual Conference is open to both members and non-members
and provides 3 days of classes and sessions at all levels on many subjects of interest. The How-To Library
offers year-round access to articles and videos on a variety of topics and is adding new subject matter regularly.

For members, the HSCG offers a Certification Program with four levels (Basic, Advanced, Expert and Master)
along three tracks (Cold/Hot Process Soapmaking, Melt & Pour Soapmaking and Cosmetic Making).

4. To represent the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry in matters concerning legislation
and regulations affecting the industry.

New legislation at both the Federal and State levels is a major concern for the handcrafted soap and cosmetic
industry. The HSCG has been involved with Legislative Advocacy
for over 10 years, representing the industry in many meetings each year with Members of Congress and others in Washington DC.

Looking for handcrafted soap or cosmetics?

The Soap Gallery and the
Cosmetic Gallery show spectacular examples of
beautiful, artisnal products. Our Store Locator
can help you find any brick-and-mortar locations near you where you can go and purchase handcrafted products.
Alternatively, our Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Directory
provides ways to locate handcrafted soap or cosmetics makers by location or name, with products available
online or in person.

For more information about handcrafted soap or cosmetics in general, how products are made,
and what they contain, see
Discover Handcrafted!.

Making handcrafted soap or cosmetics?

Unbiased resources

The HSCG provides a wide range of information and resources for those who make (or want to make)
handcrafted soap and cosmetics. For materials and supplies, check
Where to Buy. For articles, videos
and podcasts about all aspects of making and selling handcrafted products, see the
How-To Library. In particular, check out
HSCG Radio which has over 30 podcasts on subjects of
interest, and the Cut to the Trace eZine.

Annual Conference

Every year the HSCG hosts an
Annual Conference. The location
rotates around the country
to make it more accessible.
The 2019 conferencewill be held in Dallas, TX
starting on May 16, 2019 and running for 4 days.
Optional intensive seminars are held on the first day; sessions along three
tracks (Maker, Business and Advanced) are held on the remaining days.